Meet the Architect Firm Behind the New 70 Columbus Tower

The New York Times has a lengthy profile of the architect firm behind the new 70 Columbus Tower, Gwathmey Siegel Kaufman Architects. Gwathmey-Siegel is responsible for various buildings in New York City and New Jersey including The Astor Place Tower and the W Hotel Hoboken. 70 Columbus was built after the death of Charles Gwathmey, who passed away in the summer of 2009.

“During the late 1960s and early ’70s, when architects began to reject simple, form-follows-function boxes in favor of decorative ornaments once again, Mr. Gwathmey was among a group of architects known as The New York Five who found new ways to keep this design language alive and new. The buildings of Mr. Gwathmey and Mr. Siegel, like any that call attention to themselves, have attracted critics and controversy,” writes the New York Times.

Despite Gwathmey’s death, 70 Columbus received the same immaculate attention to detail as previous Gwathmey-Siegel projects. “With rents from $2,300 to $7,000 a month, apartments at 70 Columbus might not seem affordable, but by the standards of Gwathmey Siegel & Associates, they are a deal,” says the New York Times. Meanwhile, the 50-story 90 Columbus — 70 Columbus’ twin — is set to start construction next month with a 2018 completion date. —NYT